The second half of the Goulburn Valley League A-grade split round could be summed up in three words: quality over quantity.
Seymour and Tatura edged out Shepparton Swans and Shepparton United by one and two goals respectively, while Mooroopna stalwart Maddison Wong celebrated her 200th game in style with a 32-goal triumph over Kyabram.
The Cats were a cut above from the jump at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
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Full force: Kyabram’s Jasmin Reid. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 8
Pass and move: Mooroopna’s Shelby Britten. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 8
Fighting for space: Mooroopna’s Caitlin McLachlan and Kyabram’s Jayda Richardson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 8
On her toes: Kyabram’s Hollie Reid. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 8
Under the ring: Mooroopna’s Ashley Lancaster. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 8
Reid-ing play: Kyabram’s Hollie Reid. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 8
Making things tick: Mooroopna’s Asha Gray. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 8
Pushing in: Mooroopna’s Shelby Britten. Photo by Rechelle ZammitUp by 11 goals at quarter-time Di Hanslow’s outfit kept the scoreboard ticking with 30 across the following two quarters and finished with 17 in the final term.
Ash Lancaster shot an astonishing 39 goals and Wong played out of her skin in defence to be awarded best-on-court in the milestone 68-36 match.
Meanwhile, Tatura coach Fiona Boyer described her side’s two-goal victory over United as a “phew win”.
The Bulldogs meant business at the start and built a 10-goal advantage by half-time.
However, the Demons rallied to edge the game closer and bit by bit, piece by piece, the comeback was on.
Three late goals at the death from United had Tatura sweating, but Boyer’s charges would eventually hold on to seal the four points and a 44-42 win.
“United were terrific, they made some really smart changes in the second half and they had nothing to lose, so they played with freedom,” Boyer said.
“Credit to them, they haven’t let the season drop, they’re playing to the end.
“We got tight as the pressure mounted and that’s something we’ve got to get better at. I was pleased that we didn’t let it go though.
“A win is a win and it really, I guess, cements that we’ll be playing in finals.
“Maybe that takes the pressure off a little bit for the next two weeks because we don’t have to be panicking about whether we win or lose ― but wanting to win of course.”
At the siren, Tatura’s chat in the huddle was centred around relief.
Then an important point was raised.
“I think they were relieved, but then we reflect and go ‘hey we’ve beaten United twice in a season, I don’t think we’ve done that for 10 years’,” Boyer said.
“We should be really proud of what we’ve achieved instead of worrying about what we might not achieve, because we’re still having a very successful season ― and we’re playing finals.
“While the form hasn’t maintained from the start of the season, we’re still doing enough to be able to compete and keep learning and developing.
“We can start to think about who we’re going to play in finals and what we’re going to do to counteract that.”
Steph Smith-Gorrie was one of the standouts on court at Tatura Park.
The malleable goaler was another to rack up an important game figure as she reached 150 Goulburn Valley League games, her 54th as a Bulldog after starting her career at Shepparton.
“We’re very happy to have her over at Tatura, she had a great game. Steph is a workhorse, she does her job and she does it consistently,” Boyer said.
“She’s a real team player, she helps other people do their job as well, so I’m really proud to have coached Steph on her 150th.”
At Princess Park, Shepparton Swans came ever so close to shocking Seymour.
The Swans went into the game five rungs below the Lions on the ladder, but played a magnificent four quarters to be pipped at the post 44-43.
Seymour now rejoins the herd at the top of the pack, joining Euroa and Mooroopna on 52 points.